The Future of Social Europe Post 2020

The future of Social Europe post 2020

Social Europe

WORKSHOPS

SPEED DATING SESSION

SIDE EVENTS

VENUE MAP

ENGLISH INTRODUCTION TO THE 2019 ANNUAL CONVENTION FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH

Welcome to the fourth Annual Convention for Inclusive Growth, organised by the European Commission. Every year, stakeholders, civil society organisations and policy makers from the EU and beyond, come to Brussels to discuss how to improve the social dimension of the EU.

This year, the Convention focuses on the future of Social Europe. As the Europe 2020 Strategy comes to an end, the European Pillar of Social Rights, the 2030 Agenda and the new multiannual financial framework will provide the structure for our work on social and economic inclusion in the decade ahead.

In view of rapid societal changes, how can the EU reinvigorate the promise of a Social Europe? What social policy priorities should be proposed to the next EU Commission? How to ensure that the next generation of funding instruments can foster inclusive growth? Through presentations, workshops and interactive sessions, the Convention will stimulate the exchange of ideas and best practices on how to build our Social Europe in the years ahead.

Thank you in advance for your valuable contributions to the 2019 edition of the Convention!

FRANÇAIS PRÉSENTATION DE LA CONVENTION ANNUELLE 2019 POUR UNE CROISSANCE INCLUSIVE

Bienvenue à la quatrième Convention annuelle pour une croissance inclusive organisée par la Commission européenne. Chaque année, cette Convention réunit à Bruxelles un large panel de parties prenantes, d’organisations de la société civile et de décideurs politiques de l’Union européenne (UE) ainsi que d’autres pays en vue de débattre des moyens d’améliorer la dimension sociale de l’UE.

Cette année, la Convention dédiera ses travaux à l’avenir de l’Europe sociale. Avec la fin prochaine de la « Stratégie Europe 2020 », nos actions en faveur de l’inclusion sociale et économique s’inscriront au cours de la décennie à venir, dans le cadre du Socle européen des droits sociaux, de l’Agenda 2030 et du nouveau cadre financier pluriannuel.

Au vu des changements rapides de la société, comment l’UE peut-elle relancer la dynamique de l’Europe sociale ? Quelles sont les priorités de politique sociale à proposer à la prochaine Commission de l’UE ? Comment faire en sorte que la prochaine génération d’instruments financiers favorise la croissance inclusive ? À travers des présentations, des ateliers et des tables rondes interactives, la Convention stimulera les échanges d’idées et des meilleures pratiques sur la manière de construire notre Europe sociale au cours des prochaines années.

Merci d’avance pour vos contributions précieuses à l’édition 2019 de la Convention !

DEUTSCH EINFÜHRUNG IN DIE JAHRESKONFERENZ FÜR INKLUSIVES WACHSTUM 2019

Herzlich willkommen bei der vierten Ausgabe der von der Europäischen Kommission ausgerichteten Jahreskonferenz für inklusives Wachstum. Jedes Jahr kommen Interessengruppen, Organisationen der Zivilgesellschaft und politische Entscheidungsträger nicht nur aus der EU in Brüssel zusammen, um darüber zu debattieren, wie sich die soziale Dimension der EU verbessern ließe.

Schwerpunktthema der diesjährigen Konferenz ist die Zukunft des sozialen Europas. Mit dem Auslaufen der Strategie Europa 2020 werden die Europäische Säule sozialer Rechte, die Agenda 2030 und der neue mehrjährige Finanzrahmen das Gerüst für unsere Zusammenarbeit zur Förderung der sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Inklusion im kommenden Jahrzehnt bilden.

Wie kann die EU angesichts des rasanten gesellschaftlichen Wandels das Versprechen eines sozialen Europas mit neuem Leben füllen? Welche sozialpolitischen Prioritäten sollten der nächsten EU-Kommission vorgeschlagen werden? Wie lässt sich sicherstellen, dass die neue Generation von Finanzierungsinstrumenten inklusives Wachstum fördert? Ziel dieser Konferenz ist es, in Vorträgen, Workshops und interaktiven Gesprächsrunden zum Austausch von Ideen und erfolgreichen Strategien zur Gestaltung unseres sozialen Europas in den kommenden Jahren anzuregen.

Vielen Dank im Voraus für Ihre wertvollen Beiträge zur Ausgabe 2019 dieser Konferenz! EN 66 PROGRAMME

The future of Social Europe post 2020

PROGRAMME

MORNING SESSION – moderated by Sean Klein

08.00 Registration and welcome coffee 09.00 Official opening of the Convention

Marianne Thyssen Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Elena Solomonesc State Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Justice, Romania

09.30 Plenary session Maithreyi Seetharaman, Co-Chair, Fortune Most Powerful Women International Q&A with audience

10.30 Break / Change of room

10.45 7 parallel workshops 1 Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights as the vehicle for the Sustainable Development Goals in the social area; 2 Improving social policy governance in Europe: cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnerships; 3 Let’s talk to each other: how to improve communication with EU citizens about Social Europe; 4 Adapting to the future of work: shaping lives and jobs through inclusive lifelong learning; 5 How the next multiannual financial framework and its funding instruments can be best used for inclusive growth; 6 The future of the EU Disability Strategy; 7 Social services: integrated approaches as a means to deliver the European Pillar of Social Rights;

12.30 Lunch EN PROGRAMME 7

AFTERNOON SESSION – moderated by Sean Klein

14.00 Parallel activities: Showcasing best practices from across Europe Participants are invited to attend either the speed dating session or one of the side events

Speed dating session

Side events

1 Lightning talks on access to financial services for all 2 Employment and social benefits: Combatting in-work poverty for persons with disabilities 3 Independent national defenders for a stronger social Europe post 2020: Using the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Social Charter to advance the Sustainable Development Goals 4 Out-of-box housing solutions for the locked out: How can the EU foster innovation to address homelessness and housing exclusion? 5 How can investment in the social services workforce deliver inclusive growth? Innovative approaches in recruitment, retention and training

15.30 Break / Change of room

15.45 Key messages and recommendations from the workshops 16.15 Panel discussion on the conclusions and key messages of the day Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Director for Social Affairs, DG Employment, Social affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

Kélig Puyet, Director, Social Platform

Mario van Mierlo, Chair, BusinessEurope Social Protection Working Group

Pasi Korhonen, Director of EU and International Affairs, Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Q&A with audience

17.00 Concluding remarks Joost Korte, Director-General, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission FR 88 PROGRAMME

Convention annuelle pour une croissance inclusive L’avenir de l’Europe sociale après 2020

PROGRAMME

SESSION du matin – animée par Sean Klein

08.00 Inscription et café de bienvenue 09.00 Ouverture officielle

Marianne Thyssen Commissaire européenne chargée de l’Emploi, des Affaires sociales, des Compétences et de la Mobilité des travailleurs Elena Solomonesc Secrétaire d’État, Ministère du Travail et de la Justice sociale, Roumanie

09.30 Séance plénière Maithreyi Seetharaman, Co-présidente de Fortune Most Powerful Women International Séance de questions/réponses avec les participants

10.30 Pause / Changement de salle

10.45 7 ateliers en parallèle : 1 La mise en œuvre du Socle européen des droits sociaux comme vecteur de la réalisation des objectifs de développement durable dans le domaine social ; 2 Améliorer la gouvernance de la politique sociale en Europe : collaboration transsectorielle et partenariats public-privé ; 3 Comment mieux communiquer avec les citoyens de l’UE au sujet de l’Europe sociale ; 4 S’adapter à l’avenir du travail : faire évoluer les vies et les emplois à travers l’apprentissage inclusif tout au long de la vie ; 5 Comment utiliser au mieux le prochain cadre financier pluriannuel et ses instruments de financement pour la croissance inclusive ; 6 L’avenir de la Stratégie européenne en faveur des personnes handicapées ; 7 Services sociaux : des approches intégrées pour mettre en œuvre le Socle européen des droits sociaux.

12.30 Déjeuner FR PROGRAMME 9

SESSION DE L’APRÈS-MIDI – animée par Sean Klein

14.00 Activités parallèles : Présentation des meilleures pratiques en provenance de toute l’Europe Les participants sont invités à participer à la session de « speed dating » ou à l’un des événements parallèles

Session de « speed dating »

Événements parallèles :

1 Discussions à propos de la façon de rendre les services financiers accessibles à tous 2 Emploi et prestations sociales : combattre la pauvreté au travail pour les personnes handicapées 3 Défenseurs nationaux indépendants pour une Europe sociale plus forte après 2020 : comment s’appuyer sur le Socle européen des droits sociaux et sur la Charte sociale européenne pour faire progresser la réalisation des objectifs de développement durable 4 Solutions d’hébergement novatrices : comment l’UE peut-elle stimuler l’innovation pour résoudre le problème du sans-abrisme et de l’exclusion en matière de logement ? 5 Comment l’investissement dans le personnel des services sociaux peut-il favoriser la croissance inclusive ? Approches innovantes en matière de recrutement, de rétention et de formation

15.30 Pause / Changement de salle

15.45 Messages clés et recommandations provenant des ateliers 16.15 Table ronde sur les conclusions et les messages clés de la journée Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Directrice des Affaires sociales, DG Emploi, Affaires sociales et Inclusion, Commission européenne

Kélig Puyet, Directrice de la Plateforme sociale

Mario van Mierlo, Président du BusinessEurope Social Protection Working Group

Pasi Korhonen, Directeur des Affaires Européennes et Internationales, ministère finlandais des affaires sociales et de la santé

Séance de questions/réponses avec les participants

17.00 Observations finales Joost Korte, Directeur général, DG Emploi, Affaires sociales et Inclusion, Commission européenne DE 1010 PROGRAMM

Jahreskonferenz für inklusives Wachstum Die Zukunft eines sozialen Europas nach 2020

PROGRAMM

VORMITTAGSPROGRAMM – moderiert von Sean Klein

08.00 Uhr Registrierung und Begrüßungskaffee 09.00 Uhr Offizielle Eröffnung

Marianne Thyssen EU-Kommissarin für Beschäftigung, Soziales, Qualifikationen und Arbeitskräftemobilität Elena Solomonesc Staatssekretärin, Ministerium für Arbeit und soziale Gerechtigkeit, Rumänien

09.30 Uhr Plenarsitzung Maithreyi Seetharaman, Mitverantwortlich für die Liste „Most Powerful Women International“ des Fortune-Magazins Fragen- und Antwortrunde mit allen Teilnehmern

10.30 Uhr Pause / Raumwechsel

10.45 Uhr 7 parallele Workshops: 1 Umsetzung der Europäischen Säule sozialer Rechte als Instrument zur Erreichung der Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung auf sozialer Ebene 2 Verbesserung der sozialpolitischen Governance in Europa: sektorübergreifende Zusammenarbeit, öffentlich-private Partnerschaften 3 Reden wir miteinander: Wie lässt sich die Kommunikation mit EU-Bürgern über das soziale Europa verbessern? 4 Anpassung an die Zukunft der Arbeit: Gestaltung von Leben und Beruf durch inklusives lebenslanges Lernen 5 Wie lassen sich der kommende mehrjährige Finanzrahmen und seine Finanzierungsinstrumente optimal für inklusives Wachstum nutzen? 6 Die Zukunft der EU-Strategie für Menschen mit Behinderungen 7 Sozialdienste: inklusive Ansätze als Mittel zur Verwirklichung der Europäischen Säule sozialer Rechte

12.30 Uhr Mittagessen DE PROGRAMM 11

NACHMITTAGSPROGRAMM – moderiert von Sean Klein

14.00 Uhr Parallele Aktivitäten: Präsentation erfolgreicher Strategien aus ganz Europa Die Teilnehmer sind eingeladen, entweder an der Speed-Dating-Sitzung oder an einer der Begleitveranstaltungen teilzunehmen.

Speed-Dating-Sitzung

Begleitveranstaltungen:

1 Blitzvorträge zum Zugang zu Finanzdienstleistungen für alle 2 Beschäftigung und Sozialleistungen: Bekämpfung von Armut erwerbstätiger Menschen mit Behinderungen 3 Unabhängige nationale Befürworter eines stärkeren sozialen Europas nach 2020: Die Europäische Säule sozialer Rechte und die Europäische Sozialcharta als Beiträge zur Förderung der Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung 4 Innovative Lösungen für die Unterbringung von Wohnungslosen: Wie kann die EU Innovationen fördern, um gegen Wohnungslosigkeit und Ausgrenzung auf dem Wohnungsmarkt anzugehen? 5 Wie können Investitionen in die Mitarbeiter von Sozialdiensten zu inklusivem Wachstum beitragen? Innovative Ansätze bei der Anwerbung, Bindung und Weiterbildung

15.30 Uhr Pause / Raumwechsel

15.45 Uhr Schlüsselerkenntnisse und Empfehlungen aus den Workshops 16.15 Uhr Podiumsdiskussion zu den Schlussfolgerungen und Schlüsselerkenntnissen des Tages Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Direktorin für soziale Angelegenheiten, Generaldirektion Beschäftigung, Soziales und Integration, Europäische Kommission

Kélig Puyet, Leiterin, Social Platform

Mario van Mierlo, Vorsitzender der BusinessEurope-Arbeitsgruppe Soziale Sicherung

Pasi Korhonen, Direktor für EU- und internationale Angelegenheiten, Finnisches Ministerium für Soziales und Gesundheit

Fragen- und Antwortrunde mit allen Teilnehmern

17.00 Uhr Schlusswort Joost Korte, Generaldirektor, Generaldirektion Beschäftigung, Soziales und Integration, Europäische Kommission 1212

Moderator

Sean Klein Managing Director, SeanKlein Media Ltd

During his twenty-year career with the BBC, Sean Klein has worked with award winning journalists worldwide on some of the top news stories – US presidential elections, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and the funeral of Pope John Paul II - producing reports for the BBC’s flagship TV and radio news programmes. Sean Klein spent ten years in Brussels as a BBC journalist and later as the BBC’s Brussels Bureau Chief, managing large teams of journalists covering news stories across the continent. Now a multi-lingual consultant, he brings a thorough knowledge of the EU institutions and polices to a broad range of clients in the Brussels-EU environment and beyond.

SeanKlein Media Ltd provides clients with expert media strategy, coaching, event moderation and film production, using a network of skilled professionals. Clients include DGs of the European Commission, the European Business Summit, thinktanks, governments, commerce, industry, and charitable foundations. SPEAKERS: MORNING SESSION SPEAKERS 13

Official Opening

Marianne Thyssen European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility

Marianne Thyssen is Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility. Her portfolio includes overseeing European Union policy on employment, vocational training, skills, labour market reforms and social inclusion, including workplace equality legislation. She is also responsible for the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat).

She studied Law at KU Leuven where she had her first job at the Law Faculty. Prior to her political career, she worked for UNIZO for more than 10 years (SME representative organisation). After that, she served as a member of the European Parliament (1991-2014) and as Vice-Chair of the Economic Committee. She was also the party leader of the Flemish Christian-Democratic Party (CD&V) and the Vice-President of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

Elena Solomonesc State Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Justice, Romania

Elena Solomonesc has been State Secretary within the Romanian Ministry of Labour and Social Justice since July 12, 2018. Her portfolio includes coordinating the Social Services and Social Benefits Policy Directorates. Since her appointment as State Secretary, she has been a member and coordinator of activities for the working groups on the National Housing Strategy and the National Strategy for Promoting Active Aging and Elderly Protection. In her role, Elena Solomonesc also coordinates the specific activity of the National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection, the National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption, and the National Authority for Persons with Disabilities.

From October 2013 to July 2018, she held the position of Executive Director in the Caraș-Severin County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection.

Plenary Talk

Maithreyi Seetharaman Co-Chair, Fortune Most Powerful Women International

Maithreyi Seetharaman is a London-based international political-economics and business journalist with over 18 years of global experience. She is currently Director of Fortune Magazine’s Live Media Content and Co-Chair of Fortune Most Powerful Women International, Fortune Global Forum and Brainstorm Design. In this role, she represents Fortune Magazine in the U.K. Europe, Africa & Asia. Maithreyi Seetharaman is additionally an Advisory Board Member of Docusign.

Previously, she created and hosted EuronewsNBC’s economic show, Real Economy, as Anchor and Executive Editor, for five seasons over five years. Prior to this, she was co-host of CNBC Europe’s Squawk Box Europe and Capital Connection. She has also been anchor and stocks editor for Bloomberg Television in London and New York. Before joining Bloomberg, she was a prime-time anchor for CNBC TV18 in India and a reporter for the Indian national financial daily ‘The Financial Express’.

Maithreyi Seetharaman holds a Master’s in international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship at Syracuse University, New York, and a Master’s in Journalism from Bond University, Australia. 1414 SPEAKERS: AFTERNOON SESSION

Panel discussion and Q&A Reflection on the conclusions and key messages of the day

Katarina Ivanković Knežević Director for Social Affairs, DG Employment, Social affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

Since September 2018 Katarina Ivanković Knežević is a Director for Social Affairs in the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. Her area of activity is modernisation of social protection systems and wider social policies fostering social and labour market inclusion, through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and other relevant social policies of the European Union.

Before the European Commission she was a State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and the Pension System of the Republic of Croatia, in which she was responsible for the management and implementation of the European Social Fund and other EU instruments aiming at human resources development. For the last 20 years her professional interests are human rights and gender equality, social policy and employment with particular accent to the labour market policies.

Kélig Puyet Director, Social Platform

Kélig Puyet is the Director of Social Platform, the largest alliance of European rights and value-based civil society organisations working in the social sector. Social Platform advocates for developing EU policies in partnership with the people they affect, respecting fundamental rights, promoting solidarity and improving lives. She manages the strategic and policy direction of Social Platform.

Prior to joining Social Platform, she was Head of Global Advocacy at SOS Children’s Villages International and she has been actively involved in the work of different organisations including the European Youth Forum, Eurochild, Concord and the International Civil Society Centre. She holds a master’s degree in law from the Robert Schuman University in Strasbourg, and a European master’s degree in human rights and democratisation from the Interdepartmental Centre on Human Rights and the Rights of People (University of Padova) and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (University of Lund).

Mario van Mierlo Chair, BusinessEurope Social Protection Working Group

Mario van Mierlo is the Chair of Social Protection Working Group at BusinessEurope. His field of work is social affairs and health and safety.

He is also a member of the Advisory Committee on health and safety at the European Commission as well as a member of the governing boards of EU-OSHA in Bilbao and the European Foundation of Living and Working Conditions (Euroufound) in Dublin.

Mario van Mierlo also works for the Confederation of Netherlands Industry (VNO-NCW) and the Royal Association of Small and Medium sized enterprises. He holds a degree in law from the Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. SPEAKERS 15

Pasi Korhonen, Director of EU and International Affairs, Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Mr Pasi Korhonen, MSocSc in international politics, is Director of EU and International Affairs at the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

He has 25 years of experience in international social and health policies as well as EU internal market affairs. He has previously worked at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister´s Office, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the European Commission’s Directorate- General for Internal Market. For the incoming Finnish Presidency of the EU Council, he works at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU and will chair the Social Questions Working Party.

Concluding remarks

Joost Korte Director-General, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

Joost Korte was appointed Director-General of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion in March 2018. He previously served as Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Trade Department. Before that, he served as Deputy Director-General in the Agriculture and Rural Development Department as well as in the Enlargement Department.

He spent several years in the Commission’s Secretariat General as Director responsible for the relations with the Council of Ministers, where he gained extensive experience in the private offices of Sir Leon Brittan, Chris Patten and Danuta Hübner. These professional experiences within the European institutions allowed him to develop a profound understanding of EU decision-making.

A lawyer by training, Joost Korte joined the Commission in 1991, following eight years of academic work on European law at the Universities of Utrecht and Edinburgh.

WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS

Seven parallel workshops

1 Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights as the vehicle for the Sustainable Development Goals in the social area

2 Improving social policy governance in Europe: cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnerships

3 Let’s talk to each other: how to improve communication with EU citizens about Social Europe

4 Adapting to the future of work: shaping future lives and jobs through inclusive lifelong learning

5 How the next multiannual financial framework and its funding instruments can be best used for inclusive growth

6 The future of the EU Disability Strategy

7 Social services: integrated approaches as a means to deliver the European Pillar of Social Rights 18 WORKSHOPS

Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights as the vehicle for the Sustainable Development Goals in the social area WORKSHOP 1

The European Commission’s reflection paper “Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030”, published in January 2019, aims to stimulate discussion on the EU’s vision and strategy for the long-term implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as part of a broader debate on the future of the EU and the priorities of the new European Commission. One of these priorities is a socially fair transition to a sustainable economy that should leave no-one behind. To this end, the reflection paper highlights the significance of social investments in education, training and life-long learning, working conditions, healthcare and long-term care, social inclusion, and gender equality.

The reflection paper outlines three scenarios on how best to build on the SDGs:

1. Scenario 1: An overarching EU SDG strategy, with concrete targets for 2030 for both the EU and Member States.

2. Scenario 2: Mainstreaming of the SDGs in all relevant EU policies, to ensure the SDGs continue to inspire the European Commission’s political decision making.

3. Scenario 3: Enhancing the pursuit of external actions, enabling the EU to provide support for improvements outside its borders, while continuing to pursue improvements at EU level.

At the EU level, the European Pillar of Social Rights provides the guiding framework for the implementation of the SDGs in the social arena, specifically regarding the core “social” SDGs.

During our workshop, we will reflect on the three scenarios proposed in the reflection paper, with a view to contributing to the preparation of the future EU2030 Strategy and setting the priorities of the next European Commission. We will discuss the pros and cons of each scenario, possible priority areas and targets for the future strategy, and explore the role of the European Pillar of Social Rights in sustainable development and social progress.

Questions to be debated during the workshop:

Which of the three scenarios put forward in the reflection paper “Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030” is the most suitable for the future EU strategy in social policy? What are the pros and cons of each of these scenarios?

Stakeholders’ reaction to the reflection paper was mixed. They welcomed the reflection paper as a useful input to the debate, yet they criticised the European Commission for the lack of specific commitments, including concrete 2030 targets. Based on the lessons learned from the Europe 2020 Strategy and the challenges ahead – could you indicate key social policy areas in which you believe such targets should be set? What is the appropriate level of ambition?

Facilitator: Mara Callaert, Visuality Rapporteur: Paul Ginnell, Director, European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland WORKSHOPS 19

SPEAKERS

Annemie Drieskens President, Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union (COFACE Families Europe)

Annemie Drieskens has been the President of COFACE Families Europe since 2012. Under her presidency, COFACE has overseen vital projects promoting the well-being, health and security of families across Europe. With her guidance, COFACE worked on the topic of Reconciling Work and Family Life, organised a European Employers Forum, published the European Reconciliation Package and prioritised focus on Families in Vulnerable Situations. In 2014 COFACE gained the UN consultative status.

Annemie Drieskens holds a Master’s Degree in Law. As President of COFACE, she consistently represents the organisation at numerous conferences and meetings advocating for family policy and defending the interest of families and their diversity in Europe.

Laura de Bonfils Social Policy Coordinator, SOLIDAR

From October 2013 to July 2018, she held the position of Executive Director in the Caraș-Severin County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection. 20 WORKSHOPS

Improving social policy governance in Europe: cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnerships WORKSHOP 2

Often overlooked by the wider public, EU governance involves numerous actors with different views– stemming from diverse political beliefs and economic theories – as well as varying interests. Striking a balance between differing approaches is a challenging and time-consuming task. This applies across the board, including social policy. Notwithstanding the shared political ambitions spelled out in the European Pillar of Social Rights, there are significant differences in approaches towards securing and improving social standards. Introductory speeches will help participants of the workshop in identifying those differences, presenting the issue from three perspectives: the political-strategic level of the European Commission, the national administrations of the Member States, and the private sector.

Taking place less than a week ahead of the European elections, the workshop will provide a timely opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the Juncker Commission. The workshop will then look forward and identify key areas where action is still needed, as well as map the main challenges and obstacles that the next term of the European Commission will face.

On a more practical level, we will also discuss public-private partnerships, investigating the extent to which social governance can be implemented with the help of the private sector, in a bottom-up and decentralised manner.

Questions to be debated during the workshop:

What should the EU prioritise in social governance during the next term of the European Parliament and the European Commission?

Which social governance issues should be dealt with at the EU level and at the national level – or should it be a combination of both?

What role could the private sector play in improving social policy outcomes, especially with regard to public-private partnerships?

Facilitator: Sean Klein, Sean Klein Media Rapporteur: Liz Gosme, Director, COFACE Families Europe

SPEAKERS

Gabriella Sebardt Director of Social Affairs, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise

Gabriella Sebardt is Director of Social Affairs at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, an organisation that represents Swedish businesses. Based in the Brussels office, she monitors EU labour law with a special focus on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Previously, Gabriella Sebardt has worked for the Ministry of Education and Research in the Swedish government and as a Senior Advisor in Employer Policy and Public Affairs at Almega, an employer organisation in the service sector. She was also Head of Secretariat and Legal Counsel for the Swedish Staffing Agencies. She studied law at Sockholm University and Industrial Relations at the London School of Economics. She also holds a LLD/JSD in Labour Law from Stockholm University. WORKSHOPS 21

SPEAKERS

Rait Kuuse Chairman of the EU Social Protection Committee, Deputy Secretary General for Social Policy, Ministry of Social Affairs, Estonia

Rait Kuuse is the Deputy Secretary General for Social Policy in the Ministry of Social Affairs in Estonia. Since 2014, he has overseen the coordination and development of social policy. In this capacity, he has been responsible for many nationwide reforms including for pensions, workability, and the framework for long-term care. He has also directed transformations in social protection, child protection and equality policies. He is responsible for implementing the EU funds in his areas of responsibility. He currently holds the position of Chair of the EU Social Protection Committee.

Rait Kuuse graduated with an MBA in European Studies from Tartu University, and is currently studying for a doctorate on deinstitutionalisation at Tallinn University.

Ruby Gropas Leader of the Social Affairs Team, European Political Strategy Centre

Ruby Gropas leads the Social Affairs Team for the European Political Strategy Centre, the European Commission’s in-house think tank. It provides the Commission with strategic, evidence-based analysis and forward-looking policy advice.

Ruby has had an extensive career in academia and research, focusing on migration, European integration, foreign policy and human rights. She holds a PhD in International Relations from Cambridge University. She is a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe and holds a Lectureship at the University of Thrace. She was Southeast Europe Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC, Visiting Fellow for the Center for Democracy Development and the Rule of Law at Stanford University, and Research Fellow at the European University Institute, Florence. She has also worked at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy and for McKinsey and Co. in Athens and Zurich. 22 WORKSHOPS

Let’s talk to each other: how to improve communication with EU citizens about Social Europe WORKSHOP 3

During the 2018 edition of the Annual Convention for Inclusive Growth, it became clear that communicating about social issues is instrumental in advancing the social agenda in the EU.

Much has been done since the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights in November 2017. However, such a vast and challenging undertaking cannot be fully accomplished without a communication strategy. Communication fulfils a double purpose in this context: reinforcing the implementation of the principles of the Pillar and reconnecting citizens with the European project. Against the backdrop of increasingly Eurosceptic populist sentiments and ahead of a new term for the European Parliament and the European Commission, it is more important than ever to place communication at the core of policy development.

The workshop will explore the need for structured communication on Social Europe and will reflect on possible methods for reaching out to citizens regarding one of the most sensitive and life changing issues: social rights. Through real examples and group work, participants will brainstorm the challenges and goals of communicating about Social Europe, as well as key elements of a communication strategy: target audiences, channels, tools, and partners.

The outcomes of the brainstorming exercise will be used by the European Commission as building blocks for a communication strategy on Social Europe.

Questions to be debated during the workshop:

A communication strategy for social Europe: why is it so important to communicate on Social Europe and what do we want to achieve from this message?

Social Europe for whom? Who do we need to talk to and why? Why does Social Europe matter to this target audience?

How do you reach your target audience in an increasingly complex political and social landscape in the EU?

Facilitator: Marie Hélène Elleboudt, Faciliyo Rapporteur: Réka Tunyogi, Head of Advocacy, Eurochild

SPEAKERS

Kathy Lindekens Youth Expert, Flemish Radio and Television Broadcasting Organisation (VRT)

Kathy Lindekens is the Youth Expert for VRT, the Flemish public service broadcaster. She began working as a presenter in radio and television in the 1980s. She turned to politics in 1995 and was elected into the Flemish Parliament. As an MP, she wrote and negotiated two decrees: the installation of a Children’s Rights Commissioner and a Literary Fund in Flanders. In 1999 she became a Belgian senator, and later she was the alderman for education and youth in Antwerp. She returned to VRT in 2003 and is now responsible for several youth projects and advises the company on youth matters.

In 1989, she started Kom op tegen Kanker, a movement that fights against cancer. She has also created Bednet, an organisation which facilitates education for children with long-term illnesses. WORKSHOPS 23

SPEAKERS

Carlos Lozano Director of International Affairs, Spanish Confederation of Social Economy Enterprises (CEPES)

Carlos Lozano is Director of International Affairs for CEPES. Since 2001 he has coordinated the international institutional representation of CEPES to the Spanish Government, the European Commission, the European social economy organisations, Members of the European Parliament, the EESC, Latin American and Mediterranean Governments, the Union for the Mediterranean, ILO, OECD and SEGIB.

Carlos Lozano also coordinates CEPES’ actions within the field of national development cooperation policies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - 2030 Agenda. He has managed several European and Euro-Mediterranean projects driving the institutional development of social economy that have involved the implementation of national, European and Euro- Mediterranean events dealing with social economy both in Spain as well as in other countries. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and has followed several studies on European Law in French and Norwegian Universities.

Mercedes Acitores Senior Project Manager, Interact Mercedes Acitores is the Senior Project Manager at Interact, an organisation that supports cooperation in Europe under the European Territorial Cooperation objective of Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 - known as Interreg. She leads activities related to Inclusive Growth and social policies for Interreg.

Before joining Interact, Mercedes Acitores worked for more than a decade in EU cooperation programmes. She has more than 20 years of significant experience and knowledge of EU funding and European Structural and Investment Funds. She previously worked with the EQUAL ESF Initiative and Regional Operation Programmes, in the field of long life learning, life balance and conciliation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s degree in European Policies and Institutions. She has also received training at Science Po Paris and IESE Business School. 24 WORKSHOPS

Adapting to the future of work: shaping future lives and jobs through inclusive lifelong learning WORKSHOP 4

Our ways of living and working are constantly evolving and people need the tools to cope with this changing environment. Lifelong learning is arguably the best social protection that can be offered. Individuals are increasingly confronted with the need to become the architects of their own, unique learning pathways. It is therefore crucial to empower them to do so, while taking into account wider societal changes. Learning how to navigate the transitions between education and training, and the world of work is key. This may mean returning to education in order to change jobs, going to university after obtaining a vocational diploma, or validating non-formal learning outcomes for further formal learning.

Participants in this workshop will look at the transitions between different sectors, explore how individuals navigate them, and examine what is done or could be done to make these transitions smoother – especially for disadvantaged groups. Different profiles will be considered: the learner, the training provider as well as guidance and validation experts. The workshop will look at the different sectors of education and training, with a focus on vocational education and training (VET) and adult learning. Participants will examine guidance, counselling and validation of learning outcomes as enablers of lifelong learning.

Questions to be debated during the workshop:

Are our education and training systems flexible enough for individuals to be able to customise their own learning pathways? How could they be improved, especially for individuals who feel they don’t “fit into the boxes”? What exactly are these “navigation skills” that all individuals should be equipped with to cope with changing living and working environments (e.g. career management skills, learning to learn, adaptability, other transferable skills, etc.) What role can guidance play in supporting individuals in these transitions? Is the provision of guidance sufficiently developed for all age groups? What action can be taken to ensure that the validation of non-formal and informal learning is trusted by stakeholders as a credible way to recognise acquired experience and skills? As learning pathways become less linear, what are the consequences for the governance of our education and training systems? Are stakeholders from both the worlds of education and work able to cooperate, speak the same language and agree on common objectives? What provisions are needed to make this cooperation sustainable?

Facilitator: Eilin McCallum, Bantani Education Rapporteur: Lucie Susova, Education and Lifelong Learning Coordination, Lifelong Learning Platform

SPEAKERS

Begoña Gasch President, Fundació El Llindar

Begoña Gasch’s vocation has always been linked to children, teenagers and young people. In 2004 she founded the Fundació El Llindar in the city of Cornellà de Llobregat, a school that provides guidance and support for teenagers and young people that are excluded from formal education and the social system by offering educational and professional development activities. Begoña Gasch leads the conceptualisation, configuration and application of the Second Chance School model together with other civil society organisations, public administration and universities. For this purpose, she advocated for the creation of the Red Española de Escuelas de Segunda Oportunidad (the Spanish Network of Second-Chance Schools), a network that promotes the Second Chance School model, advocates for its official recognition and works to guarantee its development and sustainability.

Begoña Gasch is a Social Education Graduate, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychopedagogy and a Master’s degree in Humanist Psychotherapy. She is specialised in topics related to emotional fragility, paths of emotional failure and early school leaving. WORKSHOPS 25 SPEAKERS

Dana Bachmann Head of Unit for VET, Apprenticeships & Adult learning, European Commission

Dana Bachmann joined the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion in January 2015 as Head of Unitin charge of Vocational Education and Training, Apprenticeships and Adult Learning. Together with her team, she is responsible for working with Member States, social partners and stakeholders to develop and implement policies that empower citizens with the skills they need to play an active role in society. Successful initiatives like the Upskilling Pathways for Adults or the European Vocational Skills Week are few of the unit’s main achievements.

Prior to joining DG Employment, Dana Bachmann served as Head of Unit in the Directorate-General for Education and Culture, where she was responsible for the same policy areas. Before joining the Commission in December 2011, she worked as a lawyer at the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice.

Ludovic Collin Coordinator, Cités des Métiers International Network (RICDM)

Ludovic Collin is Coordinator of the RICDM. He has worked for the Network for more than 4 years and possesses a strong knowledge of practices in career counselling services and non-formal validation of skills in Europe. He oversees strategic advice and EU project management for the Network as well as the financial and administrative management, communications and events.

Ludovic Collin graduated with a Master’s degree in European Policy from London South Bank University. He also holds degrees in banking and financial management from the University of Caen and San Pablo CEU, Madrid. Before joining the RICDM, he gained almost 10 years of extensive experience in different European countries working in advisory services and project management. He also possesses 3 years’ experience working in Higher Education Institutions.

Mehdi Bouhassoune Junior Business Development Executive, Yougov

Mehdi Bouhassoune is a Junior Business Development Executive for Yougov, a global public opinion and data company.

He first obtained a professional baccalaureate in printed production in 2012. He then studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Languages, Literature and Foreign Civilisations from Strasbourg University in France. His degree programme included an Erasmus exchange in Birmingham, UK. Mehdi Bouhassoune then earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from York University in 2018, and was head of his year. He also attended a summer school programme at the European Institute at the London School of Economics.

Natacha Vinckenbosh Coordinator of the European and International unit, Department of Employment and Vocational training, Public service of Wallonia for Economy, Employment and Research

Natacha Vinckenbosh is the Coordinator of the European and International unit in the Department of Employment and Vocational Training, in the Public service of Wallonia. She monitors public policies in the field of employment and vocational training for Europe, including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In this role she covers youth guarantees, long-term unemployment and upskilling pathways among other topics. She also manages a project in which she assesses basic vocational skills to facilitate the fluidity of pathways.

Before beginning this role in 2017, she spent 5 years overseeing the implementation of sustainable development projects in Wallonia and the participation in reflections on green jobs and green training for the Regional Ministry. Prior to this she worked for the Federal Ministry of Public Health in Crisis Management. 26 WORKSHOPS

How the next multiannual financial framework and its funding instruments can be best used for inclusive growth WORKSHOP 5

Tackling unemployment and persistently high rates of poverty remain priorities throughout the EU. Social and employment issues are a primary concern and an area where more is expected from the EU and its funding instruments.

In May 2018, the European Commission adopted a proposal for the next multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027, including a proposal for the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). These proposals pursue the shared objective of the European institutions and the Member States to work together to deliver the principles and rights enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights.

In the same spirit as the current European Social Fund, the ESF+ will be the main EU instrument to invest in people, and a key tool to strengthen social cohesion, improve social fairness and increase competitiveness across Europe. It will integrate the current ESF, the Youth Employment Initiative, the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, the Employment and Social Innovation programme and the EU Health programme. In addition, ESF+ will remain complementary to other funds, such as Erasmus, the Asylum and Migration Fund, and the European Regional Development Fund.

Building on three concrete examples where EU funding has made a difference to promoting social inclusion, participants will have the opportunity to discuss the factors and barriers to success in the design and implementation of projects. Based on these discussions, recommendations will be identified for the programming period following the European elections.

Questions to be debated during the workshop:

Providing integrated approaches through different funds: what are the challenges and opportunities? Partnership: how and when to involve the appropriate partners? Access to funds by beneficiaries: what could be improved? Social innovation: possibilities to scale up? What is the added value of the EU in terms of inclusive growth?

Facilitator: Sven Retoré, Visuality Rapporteur: Edit Lakatos, Policy Officer, Housing Europe

SPEAKERS

Joaquín Miranda Head of Employment Orientation Department, Municipality of Gijón, Spain

Joaquín Miranda is the Head of the Employment Orientation Department in the Local Agency of Economic Promotion and Employment of Gijón City Council. He has been involved in employment and training programmes for more than 20 years and has significant experience in job seeking, especially in youth employment programmes and the EU Youth Guarantee.

Joaquín Miranda obtained an Economics degree at the University of Oviedo and has completed two postgraduate Master courses in Marketing Management and Local Development, also at the University of Oviedo. He has previously held positions in Tourism and Economic Promotion and Business Development in the Municipality of Gijón. In this role he coordinated European initiatives and entrepreneurial projects. WORKSHOPS 27

SPEAKERS

Patrick de la Hamette President, Digital Inclusion asbl, Luxembourg Patrick de la Hamette is the founder and President of the nonprofit organisation Digital Inclusion. He started the project in 2016 together with an interdisciplinary team of volunteers who consisted of engineers, technicians and sociologists. The organisation’s aim is to help people in need gain access to the digital world. Digital Inclusion currently employs 14 people and works with the European Social Fund as well as the Luxembourg government. He guides the project on a voluntary basis.

Patrick de la Hamette has degrees in electrical engineering and information technology. He worked for eight years as an IT engineer for the Luxembourg social security department. He also spent seven years working as a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

Patrick Manghelincks Director, JES vzw, Belgium Patrick Manghelincks has been the Director of JES vzw since 2001. JES is a youth organisation working in leisure, youth work, formal education and vocational training active in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. As the person responsible for the organisation’s strategic policy, he values and encourages innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity with the aim to empower and reinforce young people in the urban context.

Before joining JES, Patrick Manghelincks was a civil servant responsible for information and participation in youth policy at the Flemish Community in Brussels (VGC). Prior to that he worked as a pedagogical employee in youth care. He began his career as a staff member for Chirojeugd Vlaanderen, the largest youth movement in Flanders.

Jitka Modlitbova Deputy Head, Social Housing and Social Inclusion Unit, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Czech Republic Jitka Modlitbova is the Deputy Head of the Social Housing and Social Inclusion Unit in the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic. Her main responsibilities include the preparation of strategic documents concerning social inclusion policies and the fight against poverty. She participated in the drafting of the Social Housing Bill.

Currently, Jitka Modlitbova oversees the implementation of the “Social Housing Support” project, funded by the European Social Fund. This project tests Social Housing provisions in 16 Czech municipalities 28 WORKSHOPS

The future of the EU Disability Strategy WORKSHOP 6

This workshop will provide participants with different perspectives on key concerns and priorities relating to disability policy. Speakers hailing from various organisations promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as specialists in disability policy, will share their experience from the field and their expertise on the current situation.

The European Disability Strategy was adopted in 2010 and will end in 2020. As this 10-year period draws to a close, the achievements are clear to see, including the adoption of the European Accessibility Act and the pilot project on the European Disability card – to name just two. The European Disability Strategy has also been used as a tool for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which the EU and all its Member States are party. Now, we must take stock, evaluate the results and start preparing for future developments in disability policy at the EU level.

The goal of this workshop is to share innovative experiences that could help address the challenges faced by EU level policy responses. Participants in the workshop are expected to bring insights for possible follow up actions based on existing results and remaining challenges.

Questions to be debated during the workshop:

What are the main challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the EU that could be tackled through actions at the EU level? Taking into account the shared competences between the EU and its Member States regarding the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, what priority areas should be addressed by the European Commission in its disability policies? Are there examples and good practices of national or international policies that could inspire EU action in this area? How can the voices of persons with disabilities be better heard at the EU level and their input best channelled into the design of EU disability policies?

Facilitators: Inmaculada Placencia-Porrero, Senior Expert, European Commission; Valerie Boiten, Prospex Rapporteur: Wilfried Kainz, Head of Research on Innovative Practices, Zero Project

SPEAKERS

Mark Priestley Professor of Disability, Policy Centre for Disability Studies University of Leeds, and Scientific Director of the Academic Network of Disability Experts (ANED)

Mark Priestley is a Professor of Disability Policy at the University of Leeds in the UK. He is also the Scientific Director of the ANED network, created bythe European Commission in December 2007, with the aim of establishing a pan- European academic network in the disability field, to support policy development in collaboration with the European Commission’s Disability Unit. In this capacity he has led the review of disability mainstreaming in the European Semester process throughout the period of EU2020.

Mark is also administrator of the international online discussion forum “disability- research”. Previously, he was Head of the School of Sociology and Social Policy, and Pro-dean for Research in the Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Law. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and adjunct Visiting Professor at the National University of Ireland Galway.

Mark Priestley has published widely in the field of disability policy studies and is a regular advisor to government and NGO policy makers. WORKSHOPS 29

SPEAKERS

Rodolfo Cattani Member of the Executive Committee, European Disability Forum (EDF) Rodolfo Cattani is a Member of the Board and of the Executive Committee of EDF, the platform bringing together representative organisations of persons with disabilities from across Europe. He has represented EDF on various EU consultative bodies, including as Vice-President of the Platform of European Social NGOs, and Design for All Working Group of the European Association for the Co- ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation (ANEC). He currently serves on the European Multi-Stakeholder Platform on ICT Standardisation, and is Chairman of the Commission for Liaising with the EU of the European Blind Union (EBU).

Rodolfo Cattani has a degree in Philosophy of Science from the University of Bologna. He worked as a school teacher for 13 years and for nearly 20 years he was Managing Director of the Italian National Library for the Blind. From 1984 until 1996, he occupied various positions within the World Blind Union (WBU). From 2009 to 2017 he served as EDF Secretary General.

Gerard Quinn Professor Emeritus in law, National University of Ireland (Galway) Gerard Quinn is Professor Emeritus in law at the National University of Ireland (Galway). He has had a varied career in public service. He was a former Director of Research at the Irish Government’s Law Reform Commission and has served two terms on the Irish Human Rights Commission. He has also served on multiple other Government bodies. He currently sits on the scientific committee of the European Union Fundamental Rights. He has worked as a temporary civil servant in the European Commission (EU) on equality policy. He rose to be First Vice President of the Council of Europe’s Social Rights Committee. He has directed large studies for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and led the delegation of Rehabilitation International during the drafting of the UN treaty on the rights of persons with disabilities.

Gerard Quinn holds degrees in political science and law from the National University of Ireland, is a qualified barrister-at-law and a graduate of Harvard Law School. 30 WORKSHOPS

Social services: integrated approaches as a means to deliver the European Pillar of Social Rights WORKSHOP 7

The European Pillar of Social Rights was created to deliver new and more effective rights for citizens. Quality and accessible social services play a key role in supporting people throughout their lives, in particular those who have found themselves in vulnerable situations. Social services enhance the capacity for citizens to participate in society, live with dignity and enjoy their fundamental rights.

The Pillar, through its principles, underscores the right for everyone to have access to quality social services. However, citizens living below the poverty threshold continue to face many barriers to access these services. In response, the European Commission has recognised integrated approaches as a means to reduce entry barriers and to increase the effectiveness of interventions through coordinated and comprehensive measures. Many Member States have been developing these approaches, for people with disabilities, young people or the homeless.

During the workshop, participants will examine how integrated approaches help to deliver the principles of the Pillar. Whether the Pillar can help improve the coordination between different administrative levels and amongst different stakeholders is a question that will also be explored. Sample practices and their transferability will also be discussed in view of formulating recommendations for national, regional and local level authorities and stakeholders.

Questions to be debated during the workshop:

Which Pillar principles can be effectively delivered through integrated approaches? What are the conditions and success factors? What roles do the different actors play (different administrative levels, service providers, civil society and social services’ users)? Can the Pillar help improve coordination? What recommendations can be made to national, regional and local actors to effectively implement integrated approaches and to deliver on the Pillar?

Facilitator: Monika Chaba, Policy Officer, European Commission Rapporteur: Masha Smirnova, Policy Advisor, Eurocities

SPEAKERS

Alfonso Lara Montero Chief Executive, European Social Network

Alfonso Montero is the Chief Executive of the European Social Network, which supports social inclusion and better life chances through the delivery of quality social services. It achieves this by bringing together public authorities responsible for managing, financing, delivering and inspecting social services across Europe. In his role, he leads the European Social Network’s work on mental health, children’s services, integrated services and evidence-based social services.

Alfonso Montero is a graduate from the College of Europe, University College London and the Solvay Business School. He is a regular contributor to academic journals, newspapers and specialist social services magazines. He has also authored and co-authored several books including ‘Investing in children’s services’, ‘Integrated social services in Europe’, ‘Investing in the social services workforce’, and the ‘Toolkit for planning and evaluating social services’. He regularly participates in advisory boards of European social inclusion research projects. WORKSHOPS 31 SPEAKERS

Conny Reuter Secretary General, SOLIDAR Conny Reuter is Secretary General of SOLIDAR, a Brussels-based European network of over 60 civil society organisations working to advance social justice. He has extensive experience in NGO networking, managing EU and international projects and events. He specialises in social policies, education, lifelong learning and global justice issues.

Before SOLIDAR, Conny headed the Franco-German Youth Office Department for School and Youth Exchanges, and the liaison office of La Ligue in Germany working on Franco-German youth exchanges in professional and vocational training. He also worked at La Ligue de l’Enseignement in Paris on European projects. He previously served as President of the Social Platform, a platform of European Social NGOs.

He also currently serves as Co-Chair of the Liaison Group of the European Economic and Social Committee, Co-founder and Board member of Social Services Europe, and is on the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Workers’ Education Associations.

Heather Roy Secretary General, Eurodiaconia

Heather Roy has been Secretary General of Eurodiaconia since December 2018. Previously she worked with an international youth organisation that focused on the engagement, participation and education of girls and young women. Prior to this, she worked in the homelessness sector in her native Scotland. She has extensive experience of the development of civil society in Europe, including Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and has worked on partnerships in the Arab world and Latin America.

In addition to her responsibilities at Eurodiaconia she is currently a board member of Social Services Europe and the International Society for Research in Diaconia and Christian Social Practice, and is on the Advisory Board of several European level projects on social and economic policies.

Ruth Owen Policy Coordinator, European Federation of National Associations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) Ruth Owen is Policy Coordinator at the European Federation of National Associations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA). Since 1989, FEANTSA has brought together non-profit services that support homeless people in Europe. It currently has over 130 organisations from 30 countries in Europe. FEANTSA is the only European NGO to focus exclusively on the fight against homelessness, with the ultimate goal to end homelessness in Europe.

Ruth Owen has worked for FEANTSA on housing and homelessness policy for the past ten years and is an expert in European social affairs. Before switching to work in the NGO sector, she began her career as a teacher in London.

SPEED DATING SESSION

Discover different ways civil society organisations are helping to build more inclusive societies across the European Union. In this part of the Convention you will have the opportunity to learn about good practices and be inspired by new and innovative ways of advancing a vision of the EU that leaves no one behind.

The impact of having care-experienced young people involved in training SPEED DATING 1 SESSION care professionals

2 Perichoresis-Refuaid/Help Refugees - A holistic integration project

3 Childonomics. Measuring the long-term social and economic value of investing in children

4 ABilities On the moVE (ABOVE)

5 Social Engagement Framework for Addressing the Chronic Disease Challenge (SEFAC)

6 Preventing Childhood Disorders through Integrated Early Intervention Services

7 INNO-WISEs - Be WISE nowadays: invest in technologies!

8 Intercultural Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) 34 SPEED DATING 1 The impact of having care-experienced young people involved in training care professionals SOS Children’s Villages International SOS Children’s Villages national associations

CONTEXT As young people who grew up in care leave, often there is not enough support in place to help a smooth transition and the best start in adult life. Together with CELCIS, SOS Children’s Villages has developed ‘Prepare for Leaving Care Practice Guidance’ – a training methodology and manual designed to improve support for care-leavers. Its development was based on evidence collected at the start of the project through desk-research and peer-to-peer interviews between young people with alternative care experience. The project aims to develop and deliver training for care professionals and elaborate policy guidelines so that child protection systems adequately support young people leaving alternative care. Young people were placed at its heart, providing input throughout all the project activities and drawing on their personal experience and the challenges they faced when aging out of care.

The key findings of the training assessment show that the training is having positive outcomes onthe support offered to care leavers, including: the relationship between professionals and care leavers, the ability to listen and communicate with young people, and greater awareness and response to the emotions and feelings of individual care leavers. Planning and monitoring has improved as well as cooperation with others (inter-sectoral approach). In some countries, the legal framework could be impacted, too.

The activities in this project are easily transferable. SOS Children’s Villages is currently transferring them to 5 more EU Member States, with the support of a grant from the European Commission.

DURATION 24 months

90.000,00 – 175.000,00 EUR depending on the country BUDGET (includes training 80 – 120 care professionals and 10 – 15 national trainers)

CONTACT · [email protected] SPEED DATING 35 2 Perichoresis-Refuaid/Help Refugees A holistic integration project Perichoresis Eurodiaconia

CONTEXT Perichoresis was established in October 2016 by the Greek Evangelical Church of Katerini and is running a long- term integration project funded by RefuAid and Help Refugees.

The ground-breaking integration program takes a holistic community-based approach, currently helping over 60 people in 10 houses. It currently supports 2 local and 8 refugee families with recognised resident permits, by providing suitable and secure housing in the city centre, access to medical care, psycho-social support, legal support, educational support, career development, language opportunities (English and Greek), cultural information, financial planning help, social events and more.

Every family receives individual care, which acknowledges their unique experience, needs and plans for the future. By overcoming challenges together, the programme has witnessed participants offered opportunities to learn, to belong and to contribute. Almost half of the adult participants have been in employment, both temporary and permanent, working in a range of industries from agriculture to interpretation and machinery.

The project could easily be adopted by any humanitarian organisation in Europe and could be implemented in both large and small cities. Perichoresis is more than willing to share any information concerning the implementation of the integration project.

DURATION 5 years (Started in June 2017)

500.660,00 EUR BUDGET (10 apartments for 5 years)

CONTACT Dr Paris Papageorgiou, Chairman, Perichoresis · [email protected] · [email protected]

Alexandra Nikolara, Executive Member of the Board of Directors, Perichoresis · [email protected] · [email protected] 36 SPEED DATING 3 Childonomics – Measuring the long-term social and economic value of investing in children Eurochild Oak Foundation

CONTEXT Childonomics is a research project aimed at developing a tool to determine the long-term social and economic return of investing in children in national and sub-national contexts. With this tool, Eurochild aspires to prove that implementing children’s rights is not only a human rights obligation but also makes economic sense.

Childonomics aims to show that investment in high quality, universal and free public services, made accessible to all children and families, is the most important way governments can help families to provide a nurturing environment for children, and ensure children get the necessary and timely professional support to learn and grow to their full potential.

Childonomics can be considered as a: philosophy, which takes a system-wide perspective; tool to compare and contrast policies and services, and better understand what outcomes they deliver for children, families, the community and society; tool for capacity building and research.

The Childonomics methodology presents information in such a way to support users in forming judgements on the services being analysed, and to highlight gaps in knowledge and the need for investment in monitoring systems and further research. Eurochild is working on the possibility to pilot the methodology in other national contexts.

DURATION December 2013 – July 2018

BUDGET 429.000,00 EUR

CONTACT Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General, Eurochild · [email protected]

Agata Daddato, Senior Policy Coordinator: Policy, Practice and Research, Eurochild · [email protected] SPEED DATING 37 4 ABilities On the moVE (ABOVE) Conseil départemental du Val-de-Marne European Network of Social Authorities (ENSA)

CONTEXT The “Above” project, funded by the Erasmus + programme, addresses the issue of overcoming social and employment barriers for persons with disabilities. The project focuses on the person, social services (professionals, service providers) and carers. This inclusive approach requires innovative practices and vocational training methods.

It identifies and evaluates the needs of persons with disabilities and of the professionals in vocational training in order to better enable the integration of persons with disabilities into employment. The sharing of best practices leads to the formation of strategies and recommendations for service providers and funding authorities.

The project aims to share knowledge and outputs with policy makers, social service providers, enterprises, the educational sector and carers at the European, national and local level. Thanks to the coordination of the Conseil départemental du Val-de-Marne in France, the learnings have already been designed and used by the following partners: Université Paris Est Créteil, France; Bubamara Udruga osoba s invaliditetom Vinkovci, Croatia; Veneto Lavoro, Italy; Municipality of DIMOS AGION ANARGIRON-KAMATEROU Greece; ENSA-European network of Social Authorities.

DURATION 2017-2019

71.080,00 EUR BUDGET (Erasmus funded)

CONTACT Nadia Laporte-Phoeun, Director, Department of Autonomy, Conseil départemental du Val-de-Marne · [email protected]

Dejanovic Miljana, European Project Manager and Coordinator, ENSA Disability working group · [email protected] 38 SPEED DATING 5 Social Engagement Framework for Addressing the Chronic Disease Challenge (SEFAC) Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam European Local Inclusion and Social Action network (ELISAN)

CONTEXT Funded by the European Commission’s 3rd Health Programme, SEFAC takes a community approach to promoting health and reducing the burden of chronic health problems. The programme is designed to empower people to take control of their own health. Taking a grassroots approach to health, it uses community volunteers and stakeholders to help promote good habits and good health in their areas.

Four regional pilot projects in Rijeka, Treviso, Rotterdam, and Cornwall have been set up. 1000 citizens participate in community meetings and disease prevention workshops and management. The workshops address training the mind and body for health and wellbeing, healthy habits and a healthy mindset. Mindfulness and compassion-based interventions are used to help citizens develop a positive attitude to health. By offering people community-centred services, SEFAC helps people to build self-confidence, identify their goals and reach their dreams.

The project outcomes have been used to develop a “Social engagement toolkit”, which includes a trainer programme with best practices and training material. There is also an SEFAC app to help improve behavioural lifestyle changes. SEFAC was modeled using the Social engagement toolkit developed by AGE UK Cornwall and NHS England.

DURATION 36 months

BUDGET 1.499.879,99 EUR

CONTACT Elena Curtopassi, ELISAN Steering Committee and Board Member, European Covenant on Demographic Change, Veneto Region · [email protected]

Dr. Oscar Zanutto, Istituto per Servizi di Residenza ed Assistenza agli Anziani (ISRAA) · [email protected] SPEED DATING 39 6 Preventing Childhood Disorders through Integrated Early Intervention Services Theotokos Foundation European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR)

CONTEXT Community screening program in local childcare centres for the early identification of children at risk of developmental delay (2 – 4-year-olds). Identified children are referred for further diagnosis to access the appropriate external services or to attend the early intervention programme. Mildly at-risk children’s parents attend information sessions.

The on-site programme targets young children (2 – 5-year-olds) with developmental disorders who receive daily intensive intervention from an interdisciplinary team. The main goal is inclusion in kindergarten. Once the child meets the criteria, the integration process begins with a support assistant facilitating the gradual transition and inclusion of the child.

Throughout the programme, parent education and support are provided individually and/or in group sessions to empower parents in facilitating their child’s development and participation in life. Early intervention for preschool children reduces the need for special education and treatment during the school-age period. The empowerment of parents through education and active engagement in therapy sessions increases the success of interventions. The use of integration assistance during the kindergarten inclusion phase increases the likelihood of successful inclusion.

Benchmarking meetings have been conducted with other early intervention centres in Greece. The Theotokos Foundation trains students from various fields (speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology etc.) and is a popular programme for observation visits (university students, local councils). Screening practices are easily transferrable and have been proposed for an Erasmus+ programme this year.

DURATION 4 – 5 months: to conduct the childcare centre screening tests, analysis and feedback to parents and childcare personnel.

1 – 3 years: time a child typical spends on the early integration programme, depending on starting age and needs.

3 months – 1 year: kindergarten integration process, tailored to child and teacher needs.

The community screening programme is free of cost to families. BUDGET

Staff costs are covered through national funding.

On-site programme attendance costs are covered through the children’s parents’ social security benefits (not obligatory, children from families in poverty are also admitted).

CONTACT Vaia Arsenopoulou, Speech Therapist, Theotokos Foundation · [email protected] 40 SPEED DATING 7 INNO-WISEs Be WISE nowadays: invest in technologies! Fondazione Politecnico di Milano among other organisations all over Europe European Network of Social Integration Enterprises (ENSIE)

CONTEXT The project will promote sustainable and integrated territorial approaches to tackling the weaknesses of the WISE (Work Integration Social Enterprises) sector in Central Europe. It will focus on technological and managerial skills, which are largely lacking in the sector particularly in Central Europe, compared to other EU countries (e.g. France, UK, etc). The INNO-WISEs project will tackle these weaknesses by improving the capacity of WISEs to offer qualified jobs to disadvantaged groups, therefore contributing to greater social cohesion.

It will implement an integrated approach, tackling all development needs of the sector from technology gaps to skills shortages, and produce specific outputs for the WISE sector, including a knowledge management framework, a flexible ICT platform, training programmes etc. The project is expected to significantly change the entrepreneurial mind-set, skills and attitude of the sector by building and promoting a stronger culture of entrepreneurship and greater social innovation capacities. INNO-WISEs is a ground-breaking project for the social economy sector, helping enterprises use technologies and skills currently out of their reach and will represent a turning point for their development.

The project has been conceived in a way that ensures that outputs can be replicated in other Central European areas and partners. The outputs developed during the project will be transferred to additional target audiences, particularly WISEs and public authorities, in Central European regions outside the project partnership through targeted communication activities (e.g. publications, seminars etc.).

DURATION July 2017 – June 2020

BUDGET 2.309.368,00 EUR

CONTACT Irma Botic, Project Officer, ENSIE · [email protected] SPEED DATING 41 8 (Reserve) Intercultural Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft. Hungary European Network of Social Integration Enterprises (ENSIE)

CONTEXT The improvement of education, beginning with early education, is the key to inclusion and a successful life for disadvantaged persons in the long term. The importance of quality, inclusive and intercultural Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is strongly related to the issue of fostering the social and work inclusion of disadvantaged children and their families.

This project intends to contribute to the development of ECEC and improve the social inclusion of disadvantaged children, mostly from different ethnic backgrounds. Access to quality ECEC services plays a crucial role in the healthy development of necessary skills for achieving good learning outcomes and success at work, and in reducing social inequalities and preventing Early School Leaving.

The transnational approach shares project outcomes at the European level, thanks to the Open Educational Resources available through the online platform, and includes a Double Degree by the Higher Education Institutions involved in the project.

DURATION 36 months

BUDGET 394.070,00 EUR

CONTACT Claudia Piovano, Project Manager, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft. Hungary · [email protected]

SIDE EVENTS

These side events have been tailor made by civil society organisations to showcase their work to participants of the Convention. You will learn about the essential role played by civil society organisations in addressing poverty and social exclusion in the EU.

1 Lightning talks on access to financial services for all

2 Employment and social benefits: Combatting in-work poverty for persons with disabilities

3 Independent national defenders for a stronger social Europe post 2020: Using the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Social Charter to advance the Sustainable Development Goals EVENTS 4 Out-of-box housing solutions for the locked out: How can the EU foster innovation SIDE to address homelessness and housing exclusion?

5 How can investment in the social services workforce deliver inclusive growth? Innovative approaches in recruitment, retention and training 4444 SIDE EVENTS

SIDE EVENTS

Lightning talks on access 1 to financial services for all COFACE - Families Europe; Finance Watch; AGE

Millions of families across the EU face large amounts of debt and millions more don’t have access to a basic bank account. Others cannot access basic loans such as mortgages to be able to buy a home where they can thrive as a family. In this session, three experts from COFACE, Finance Watch and AGE platform will give lightning talks on this issue. Each will spend 10 minutes explaining why it is important to promote access to financial services and each will suggest two recommendations for actions needed to make financial security a reality for all.

Questions · Participants will ask questions to the speakers in-between the lightning rounds.

Employment and social benefits: 2 Combatting in-work poverty for persons with disabilities European Disability Forum; Inclusion Europe; European Anti-Poverty Network; European Union of the Deaf

In the context of implementing and assessing the Europe 2020 Strategy, the EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and the European Pillar of Social Rights, this side event will explore the risk of poverty and social exclusion for persons with disabilities when entering employment. As employment with low wages can create poverty, persons with disabilities are often pushed out of work and into the “benefit trap” where they rely on benefits to survive rather than take the low wages offered. This event will take a constructive approach to the issue by working alongside participants to collectively present policy recommendations for the EU and Member States on how to improve the employment situation of persons with disabilities. The event will also explore the threat to freedom of movement posed by a lack of coordination in social security systems across the EU for economically active people with disabilities. It will also determine policy recommendations to address this issue.

Questions · How can we ensure adequate income and combat poverty for people with disabilities who take up work in the open labour market? · How can we improve the portability of social security entitlements when moving from one Member State to another? SIDE EVENTS 45 Independent national defenders for a stronger social Europe post 3 2020: Using the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Social Charter to advance the Sustainable Development Goals European Network of Human Rights Institutions; European Network of Equality Bodies; Council of Europe, Department of European Social Charter This event will explore innovative practices and tools developed by national equality bodies (NEBs) and national human rights institutions (NHRIs) to address poverty in the EU from a human rights and equality angle. Based on the longstanding cooperation between NEBs, NHRIs and the Council of Europe’s European Social Charter Department, this side event will investigate the added value of the synergies between the European Social Charter, the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Agenda 2030 as three important building blocks to foster inclusive growth in EU post 2020 and to reduce poverty. Through an interactive roundtable discussion, it will showcase the work of NEBs and NHRIs advocating for a human rights-based approach to poverty reduction that emphasises the principle of equality and that no one is left behind. Questions · What is the role of equality bodies and national human rights institutions in fighting poverty and strengthening social cohesion and inclusion for all in Europe? · How does the work of NEBs and NHRIs bridge and leverage the synergies between the regional agenda for building a stronger Social Europe, as expressed through the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Social Charter, and the SDGs-based global social justice agenda?

Out-of-box housing solutions for the locked out: How can the EU 4 foster innovation to address homelessness and housing exclusion? FEANTSA; The foundation Abbé Pierre; Housing Europe On average poorer households in EU countries spend 42% of their income on housing costs, and homelessness continues to rise. This side-event is based on the “Housing Solutions Platform” initiative - a partnership of the Fondation Abbé Pierre, Housing Europe & FEANTSA. It will bring together cross-sectoral actors to discuss innovative housing solutions and cooperation between the actors dedicated to solving the housing crisis in Europe. This side event is designed to promote innovative housing solutions, foster the debate on the need for creativity to house people locked-out of the housing market and to showcase solutions from across housing systems. Questions · How to foster cooperation across sector to foster the emergence of housing solutions? · How can out-of-box housing solutions guarantee the right to decent housing?

How can investment in the social services workforce deliver inclusive 5 growth? Innovative approaches in recruitment, retention and training Federation of European Social Employers; European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD); European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) Social care systems are in urgent need of reform, due to social trends such an ageing population, more women entering the labour force, and a move towards deinstitutionalisation and person-centred care. In this side event, a panel discussion will present the state of play for the social service workforce. It will explore person-centred approaches, integrated care and technology, new models of equipment and the issue of staff shortages. The discussions will also share best innovative practices of training, recruitment and retention. The panel will comprise of different stakeholders including employers, workers and service user representatives. Questions · How does social services staff contribute to delivering the European Pillar of Social Rights? · How will the future of social care and support services change the nature of work in social services? · How to attract qualified professionals to the sector? · How to use cross-sectoral collaboration to make social services the best employers? 4646 VENUE MAP

KLIMT ROOM Workshop 5 How the next multiannual financial framework and its funding instruments can be best used for inclusive growth Speed Dating GROUND FLOOR PLENARY ROOM Plenary sessions Workshop 1 Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights as the vehicle for the Sustainable Development REGISTRATION Goals in the social area

ENTRANCE

KLIMT ROOM

Wheelchair access to the Klimt Room via the restaurant * Wheelchair access 47 CREATIVITY/EXPLORATION Workshop 7 Social services: integrated approaches as a means to deliver the Pillar Side Event 2 Employment and social benefits in the context of the European Semester and post-2020 EU Strategy: Combatting in-work poverty for persons with disabilities

HARMONY Workshop 6 The future of the EU Disability Strategy Side Event 1 Lightning talks on access to financial services for all

1ST FLOOR

EVASION/INNOVATION Workshop 2 Improving social policy governance in Europe: cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnerships Side Event 4 Out-of-Box Housing Solutions for the Locked Out: how can the EU foster innovation to address homelessness and housing exclusion?

VISION Workshop 4 Adapting to the future of work: shaping lives and jobs through inclusive lifelong learning Side Event 3 Independent national defenders for a stronger social Europe post 2020: using the synergies between the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Social Charter to advance the sustainable development goals in the social area

8TH FLOOR

CLARITY VENUE

Workshop 3 MAP Let’s talk to each other: how to improve communication with EU citizens about Social Europe Side Event 5 How can investment in social services workforce deliver inclusive growth? Innovative approaches in recruitment, retention and training CONTACT INFORMATION

Maria Ilies [email protected]

Emilia Mellone [email protected]

Delia Giorgianni [email protected]

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Directorate “Social Affairs” Unit EMPL.C3 “Disability & Inclusion” 1049 Brussels Belgium E-Mail: [email protected]

Social Europe @EU_Social